A myriad of front-men in Rock try hard to convey the appearance of angst filled torment or just plain James Dean-like depression. While most come off as mope-posers (e.g. The Cure’s Robert Smith) or just plain whiners (e.g. Morrissey), Joy Division, especially vocalist Ian Curtis was the unfeigned entity.  

Sadly, Curtis committed suicide on the eve of the groups first US jaunt, taking all his anguish and pain to an early grave.  His inner-directed and dark vocals bounce off the dark moody beats of  his band mates,  who  would become New Order,  post Curtis’ input.

Best known for the (almost) upbeat synth-soaked  “Love Will Tear Us Apart,”  Joy Division’s total  recordings (plus live, rare, B-sides etc.) compose this exhaustive 4 CD set.  As Curtis’ unique talent has been widely, albeit posthumously, celebrated, under-rated bassist Peter Hook rounds out all the tracks; plucking out unblushing and full bass lines as he rescues the instrument from obscurity to a more pronounced employment.